When to Build a Home Vs. Buy a Home

Investing in a home is often one of the largest purchases an individual will make in their lifetime. Whether you choose to build a home or buy a home, there are several factors to take into consideration, including your ideal location, the current market trends, and the local taxes.

You will find several pros and cons as you evaluate whether to build your house or buy a pre-existing home. For example, buying a home is a much shorter process, but building your home means you can customize it to your lifestyle and design preferences.

When deciding to build or buy a home, it is important to evaluate the pros and cons of both options, factoring in your lifestyle and long-term goals.

Should You Build a House?

building a home

Many people have a preconceived notion that building a home from the ground up is too complex, or they feel like it’s impossible for them to do. However, while there are several options and ways to build a custom home, hiring the right builder or contractor is the key to successfully building a house that is customized to your specific preferences.

Be sure that the home builder you hire specializes in designing spaces that meet your lifestyle needs and that they’re able to enhance your vision to make your home even more accommodating for your needs. Building your home gives you a deeper connection to it, as it is custom-designed to match your lifestyle, with your vision and goals in mind.

Newly built homes can take as little as six and a half months to build, and they also tend to be more energy-efficient and come with fewer health concerns due to the installations of newer, higher quality materials, appliances, etc.

So, should you build a home? If you value energy efficiency, are not trying to move in quickly, and prefer your home to function the exact way you need it to, then building a home is likely the best choice for you.

Depending on your material selections and customizations, and the location and excavation of your home site, it is very possible to seamlessly build a house that suits your budget and lifestyle needs.

Should You Buy a Home?

showing a home

Ultimately, buying versus building a house comes down to convenience and cost, in many cases. While there are several steps involved in the financing process, closing on a home can typically be completed in one to two months, which is ideal for individuals wanting to move into a house or relocate on a tight schedule.

However, you should factor in a few things, such as unforeseen repair costs and remodeling expenses, which can be in the ballpark of $100,000+ in order to get a pre-existing home designed and customized the exact way you want it.

Additionally, an existing home’s functionality may not be in good working order and may need to have several repairs made, sooner rather than later, which you should also factor into your price.

So, should you buy a home? If you have a time crunch or are fixated on a very specific location that pre-existing houses are already built on, then buying a house may be the ideal option for you. You can always remodel your home to get it exactly the way you want it later.

Building the Custom Home of Your Dreams

Choosing to buy an existing house vs. building a custom home depends on your priorities and timeline. Your wants, needs, location, and lifestyle can help guide your decision as to whether buying an existing home or building your home from the ground up is the best option for you.

An experienced builder can also help you evaluate whether buying or building a home is best for you. At Ryan A. Jones & Associates, we understand how important your home is to you. Our expertise as builders and renovators of luxury homes allows us to provide you with the services and knowledge necessary for the successful planning, designing, permitting, construction, and ongoing estate management of your home.

We will work with you to capture and interpret your unique vision and produce a well-planned and designed home of your dreams that you will enjoy for years to come. Contact us today for a consultation!